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Disney’s Magical Express & Extra Magic Hours Ending At Walt Disney World

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WDW Prep School → News → Featured → Disney’s Magical Express & Extra Magic Hours Ending At Walt Disney World
  • Allyson Koerner
  • January 11, 2021
  • January 13, 2021
Disney's Magical Express

On Monday, Jan. 11, Disney announced some major news for guests that will definitely have an impact on Walt Disney World vacation planning, specifically when it comes to airport transportation and park visits.

First, Disney’s Magical Express is coming to end. You read that right. The complimentary shuttle service that transports Disney Resort hotel guests to and from the Orlando International Airport will no longer offer service beginning with arrivals Jan. 1, 2022.

That said, Disney will continue to offer Magical Express for new and existing reservations made at Disney Resort hotels for arrivals throughout 2021.

With this change in 2022, guests will have to rent a car, use a ride-share option, or maybe even take the new Brightline station that’s coming to Disney Springs in the future. Be sure to check out our Orlando airport and WDW transportation guide for more information.

Disney's Magical Express

The second big piece of news is that Extra Magic Hours are done. Ever since WDW reopened in July 2020 amid the ongoing pandemic, Extra Magic Hours haven’t been offered for health and safety reasons.

Well, Disney is getting rid of them completely and will soon offer “Early Theme Park Entry.” This offering will be part of the 50th-anniversary celebration. Magic Kingdom, the first theme park to open at WDW, turns 50 on Oct. 1, 2021. 

Disney Resort hotel guests and guests of other select hotels will be granted 30-minute early entry to any theme park, every day of the week.

Compared to the former Extra Magic Hours, where certain guests could access only one theme park early, now every theme park will open early to select guests — and for only a short amount of time.

Cinderella Castle at Magic Kingdom

In the words of Disney, “The new early theme park entry benefit helps us better spread visitation across all four theme parks while providing added flexibility by giving guests extra early park time on each day of their vacation and in the park of their choosing.”

Keep in mind that valid theme park admission and a park reservation via the Disney Park Pass System are still required.

These two big pieces of news are a lot to digest and will be an adjustment, especially for frequent WDW visitors. A lot has changed recently at the most magical place on earth, so if you need help planning Small World Vacations can help.

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I just got back from a five night stay at Coronado Springs and had the best time! Even though I went during the busy season I barely waited in any lines and was able to do everything I wanted!

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When I posted this drained space to my stories rec When I posted this drained space to my stories recently, many wondered what it was so let me explain.

This is the Rivers of America - the water that surrounds Tom Sawyer Island and the location where the Liberty Square Riverboat is usually located.

This area has been drained since late October, and it will be closed at least through February. They’re doing refurbishment work during this time.

This is a pretty common (and one of the only) downside of traveling this time of year - more projects being done. A small price to pay to not sweat or battle busy crowds. 😰

Swipe for map to help orient yourself where the video was taken ➡️
If I was the remarrying type, this is where I’d If I was the remarrying type, this is where I’d do it: right in the middle of Maharajah Jungle Trek.

There’s a lot of competition for Most Beautiful Place in Animal Kingdom, but this trek wins for me.

Have a fave AK pretty spot of your own?
So we recently ate at Crystal Palace which reopene So we recently ate at Crystal Palace which reopened last month. While this used to be a character meal buffet, it is now a family-style meal without characters.

The portions are ✨huge✨, the food was delicious (we got the pork chop and prime rib), and the architecture of the restaurant is always nice, but at $39/person, you’ll have to decide if it’s worth it without the characters.
🌈 + 🖼 + ☀️ = 😍 🌈 + 🖼 + ☀️ = 😍
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